Business-wise this summer was definitely a cruel summer.
It was HOT! So hot that we had to close several days when it was too hot inside to work, and another several days when a fridge crapped out on us. We were up against the ropes in full defense while life was unleashing combination after combination. A full spectrum flurry of body and head shots while we were tensed up, bobbing and weaving, bouncing off the ropes trying to avoid a devastating blow that would drop us for a count. I got carried away with the boxing analogy, but you get the point.
We prevailed and now have some AC & a new compressor for the Fridge, YAY! Now that we’re rolling into the Autumn the forecast looks pretty chill. HA! We win!
Bring on SUMMER OF 24!!
I’ll admit that my wife and I suffered some burnout this summer. I never want to complain so I wont. Objectively speaking, we’ve been through a lot. If I would itemize the obstacles on receipt paper; the paper would look like a CVS receipt. BTW, 2 CVS’s went out of business. One by my house and one by my day job. A person can only wonder if it was the paper costs that did them in, but I digress.
We have some big changes coming at I❤️🍟. I’ve said that before. I’ve meant that before, but this time our lease ends in 2 years. So what do we do?
That’s what my wife and I discuss all the time. Do we stay or do we go somewhere easier to get to, and maybe with nicer neighbors? I dunno. We like where we’re at, but we get a lot of feedback from our customers saying that we look closed and things like that so its time for ideas to be volleyed back and forth.
As a husband/wife team somethings are easier and somethings are more difficult to accomplish. Having best friends that truly watch out for one another is such a blessing to have when there is a line out the door. We can communicate in a busy kitchen with very little actually said. We mesh well and work well together.
However, when it comes to something like planning or discussing the future, that seems much harder to do for several reasons. One reason is that when we’re together - not at work - we’re Mom and Dad. And that is the coolest job we’ve ever had. Unfortunately it pays $%#& and take up all of our free time. In fact, we try to free up more time to work that job over all others.
So yeah, I don’t know where I was going with all of this, but I guess I just wanted to say that we went through some burn out this summer. So we kinda checked out. Its a lot of work for two already busy people to take on, but we really love it. I Love Frys is not a big corporation (surprise!) that has a person for every task. Its just us (mom & dad, husband & wife, Milan & Sonja) and a couple of great high schoolers. Literally 2 other people.
So now its Autumn. 2023.
What does that mean?
That means our cruel summer is over. That’s one. Two: WE BOUGHT A SMOKER!
(segue)
Why did we buy a smoker? I’ll tell you why after this period.
We bought a smoker to upgrade our protein game. Sure, our sirloin steak is pretty awesome, and our chicken is perfect for how we use it. I feel more is needed. We’re a Chicago Suburb for cryin out loud.
This area used to be the meat capital of the world. (Top Flight Security of the world Craig [sorry had to; Next Friday]) So we will start with smoked ribs. Some coleslaw. And make it an October Special. In that time we will hone our BBQ skills and come out with some really awesome stuff that I think you will enjoy.
Our goal is to be a franchise, but not just any ‘ol franchise that serves up half real/half lab developed food stuffs. We want to be a gourmet food franchise. We want to be a franchise that blends together cultures from growing up in a diverse worldclass area like Chicagoland. We are a franchise that is aiming to be a delicacy for the working class as well as the economic elites, as well as the mole-people that live underground and only come up when its dark. ITS FRENCH FRIES AND EVERYONE LOVES FRENCH FRIES!!!
French fries don’t have to be a forgotten and neglected side piece.
And that’s why we’re upgrading our protein game.
A luxurious french fry should be accompanied by luxurious flavors! Like that from a giant smoker!!!
Thx for reading this blog.
And sorry for wasting your time.
Have a lovely day!
-mj